When It Comes to Car Insurance, Compare Safety Too

People hoping to save on car insurance compare vehicle safety records as a routine matter.

For example, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently reported that it had named three small cars as recipients of its Top Safety Pick award. These were said to be the Honda Insight, the Kia Soul and the Toyota Prius, all of them 2010 models.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," said institute president Adrian Lund.

The institute reported that to earn the designation, a vehicle is judged on front, side and rear safety tests, and must also be equipped with electronic safety control. Earning the Top Safety Pick is said to be particularly difficult because the award is intended to promote ongoing improvements in vehicle safety.

By emphasizing safety, the organization is helping to save lives and reduce property damage, while also helping insurance companies protect their bottom lines in the form of lower payouts. With this in mind, one good tip for consumers is that while shopping for car insurance, compare vehicles' safety statistics as well.